Package sealing machine



Jan. 7, 1941. 5. G ECKLUND 2,228,134

PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE "MR" Bnventor 4f JI 53r 2# 55' S .G.Ecklund FigJ 5l O 64 @WMM MW Lttorneg Jal 7, 1941- s. G. ECKLUND 2,228,134

PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheeft 2 lnnentor nltorncg S.G.Ecklund MMQA Ma. `.N unulr Mm @H72 6h90 6 Jan. 7, 1941. s, Q ECKLUND 2,228,134

PACKAGE SEALI NG MACHINE Filed Oct. 8. 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor 1 j S.G .Eck1und libe e s Gttorneg s. G. ECKLUND 2,228,134 PACKAGE SEALING MACHINE Filed oct. 8. 1937 5 sheets-sheet 4 nventor s! S.G.Ecklund M WM Gtforneg Jan. 7, 1941. S G ECKLUND 2,228,134

PACKAGE SEALING MACH INE Filed OCT.. 8, 1937 5 SheecS-.SheeI 5 i i vill/111111111111111; 94 l mmm nventor Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to means for rigidly sealing merchandise of any description, including' canned and packaged goods within cardboard and straw board cartons and the like, preparatory to storage or shipment ofthe sealed cases, said invention relating more particularly to stapling machines for driving staples into packages and simultaneously clinching the ends of the staples to the flaps of cartons with the ends of the staples disposed inwardly of the carton material.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for the above stated purposes which is adapted to seal the flaps of straw board cases and the like together more rapidly, economically and ornately than heretofore.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for causing cartons to travel through a staple applying mechanism, the latter being so arranged that a predetermined number of staples become affixed in preselected positions across and between the flaps of cartons and in a preselected quantity as may be desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide safety means automatically operative for cooperation with a stapling mechanism for stopping the actuation of said mechanism at times when, resultant from inadvertence, accident or mistake, packages or cartons become misapplied to the mechanism by the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for applying staples simultaneously to both the top and bottom flaps of a carton lled with merchandise for completely sealing the carton.`

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for the above stated purpose which is comparatively compact and economical in the use of staples and adapted to be readily transported to different locations within a warehouse where sealing and packaging of merchandise is desired.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be understood from the folthe commutator, the view being taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section of a fragment of said commutator, the view being taken on line 6--6 of Figure 5. 5

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a safety mechanism stopping device employed.

Figure 8 is an end view of an operating lever employed with said safety device.

Figure 9 is a top view of the lever shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of certain electrical circuits for the commutator shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal vertical section of a staple magazine.

Figure 12 is a face view of a fragment of said magazine, and depicting the form, in plan, of the staples employed prior to the application thereof to carton naps.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 and showing a staple being inserted through the aps of a carton.

Figure 14 illustrates the form a staple is caused to assume for clinching the ilaps of a carton together. t

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic illustration of certain electrical circuits employed in connection with a driving motor and a safetycut out switch mechanism.

Figure 16 is alongitudinal section of a fragment of an end of a platform and adjunct parts, the view being taken on line |G-l6 of Figure 1'7, and

Figure 17 is a top plan view of a fragment of an end of a platform and adjunct parts shown in Figure 1.

As heretofore practiced in the art' various manually actuated stapling machines have been employed which are not adapted to provide a como plete clinch to a staple nor drive the same in desired positions wherebythe flaps of cartons have been loosely sealed. This procedure not only provides an unattractive appearance to the cartons but also permits the contents thereof to become shaken about within such cartons and to the detriment of the appearance of the merchandise. Such machines use an unnecessary quantity of staples, and it is a further object of the invention to obviate the undesirable practices of the prior art.

Referring now to the drawings for a more particular description, 20 indicates four vertically disposed legs. Each leg is preferably formed of two pieces of angle iron, said pieces being disposed side by side and spaced apart by means of the spacing blocks 2l at the tops of the legs and similarspacing blocks 22 at the bottom thereof whereby an elongated slot is provided in each leg between the angle-irons thereof, the

said blocks and irons being secured together by means of suitable bolts, welding, or the like. Shafts 23 are journalled through oppositely disposed pairs of the lower blocks 22, respective pairs of legs being spaced apart by means of pipes 24 provided on the shafts 23. Wheels 25 are carried on the outer ends of `the shafts 23 for facilitating transportation of the machine to selected locations about a warehouse for stapling and packaging operations.

Approximately midway between the ends of the legs 20 horizontally disposed platform members or bars 26 are secured by any suitable means such as the rivets 21 to respective legs. Extending between the bars 26, as best shown in Figure 2, transverse frame members or bars 28 are secured to the members 26 for supporting the elongated platforms 29 which are spaced apart and the upper surfaces thereof are on' an ap proximate level with each other and of certain later described sprocket conveyor chains.

Extending between the oppositely disposed ends of the bars 26 stationary supporting shafts 30 are provided for the sprocket wheels 3i, the latter being idly mounted for turningmovements on said shafts. The sprocket wheels 3i are disposed between the platform members 29 and at each. side of a medial platform 33 (Figs. 16 and. 17), the latter preferably having terminal ends which are arcuate in cross section, as shown n Figure 16, and of the same diameter as the sprocket wheels 3i in order that the later described lugs S'Vof the conveyor chains Sli may pass over the arcuate ends of the middle platform. 'Ihearcuate ends also provide a safety factor for preventing an operator from engaging his ngers between the moving lugs of the conveyor chains 34, and stationary portions of the mechanism such as the adjacent shafts 3%.

The oppositely disposed sprocket conveyor chains 34 extend over their sprocket wheels 3i and their driver sprockets 35 which are carried on a driver sleeve shaft 36, the latter being provided with either a shaft therethrough or with `stub axlesmounted in sockets 3l, the latter, as

best shown in Figure 2, being respectively riveted to adjacent legs 20. The sprocket chains 34 also travel over rear sprocket wheels 38 which are mounted on a hollow shaft 39, as shown in Figure 2. A supporting shaft 40 extends through the hollow shaft 39 and is provided with thrust collars 4| for positioning the hollow shaft 39 longitudinally of its mounting 49, the latter extending through adjustable holding-plates 42 which are secured by means of the threadedly mounted lock nuts 43 to` respective legs 20. The shaft 40 extends through the slots 20 of the legs 20 and is .vertically adjustable therein, at desired times,

for serving as a chain tightening device for providing taut chains as may be desired. The

, sleeve shafts 36 and 39 are each provided with further sprocket wheels 44 and 45, respectively, mounted thereon and a chain 46 extends between wheels 44 and 45, said chain traveling in the direction of the arrows 41 for driving the rear lower sleeve shaft 39, said chain 46 being driven by the sleeve shaft 36 and the latter being driven by a sprocket 48 secured to the sleeve shaft 36.

The sprocket 48 is driven by a chain 49, which is driven in the direction of the arrows 50, eX-

tending over a driven sprocket 5|, the shaft for which extends outwardly of a transmission reduction gear housing 52 for reducing the speed of a driving motor 53 which is preferably employed. The motor has a belt 54 in engagement at all times with its pulley for driving a pulley 55, the latter being secured on a shaft which ex- 34, transversely disposed angle iron lugs 5l are` provided, said lugs 5l preferably being equidistantly spaced apart and of a length substantially equal the distance between the platform members 29, as shown in Figure 2, said lugs 51 and chains 34 being driven in the direction of the arrows.

The angle iron lugs 51 are provided with upstanding portions which are adapted to have engagement against a vertically disposed rear wall of a box or carton for causing the latter to be conveyed through the machine. In instances where the cartons are of narrow width, the cartons slide on. the middle platform 33 and in instances where the cases or cartons are of greater width than the platform 33 (Fig. 17), such cases slide upon the platforms 29 and in all instances adjustable means may be employed for preventing movements of the cartons transversely of the conveyor chains 34. This adjustable means may include upper guide rails 5t and lower guide rails 59 which are disposed at each side of the line of travel of said cases for bearing against the side walls thereof and preventing transverse movements of the cases for causing certain ends thereof to engage against a later described roller for actuating a commutator. The rear ends of the guide rails 58 and 59 are turned outwardly and divergently with respect to each other for facilitating guiding the boxes or cartons entering the machine between said rails, and are also disposed and maintained at all times at a true right angle with respect to the moving lugs 5l carried by the chains 34, whereby during operation of the mechanism the boxes or cartons are thereby forced to assume and maintain a true right angular shape at all times during passage thereof through the mechanism. It will be understood that after the staples have been applied to the cartons as later described, since the Walls of said cartons are maintained absolutely at a right angle with respect to each other at the time the staples are driven, the cartons are thereby forced to maintain a useable rectangular appearance after said staples are driven. The rails 58 and 59 (see Fig. '7) are pivotally mounted upon swingable links 6 I, said links being adapted to be swung manually in a vertical direction for drawing the guide rails 58 and 59 toward or away from each vided between the angle iron leg members 20.

The shafts have locking nuts 64 at each side of said legs 20 which, as shown in Figure 2, Aare provided with lugs for engaging the legs 29 at times when the lock nuts 64 are rotated for posivtioning the guide rails 58 selectively with respect to the line of travel of cases through the machine. By this arrangement, the oppositely disposed edges of the flaps of said cases are caused,

, by the adjustment of the guide rails 58 away from or towards each other, to travel medially of the platform 33 and in alinement with later described driven staples, whereby each free end of each staple spans over oppositely disposed flaps of a case and may be driven through said flaps and clinched, as later described.

Above the oppositely disposed swingable guide rails 58 and extending through the slots of the legs 28, vertically adjustable platform supports bars 66 are provided having suitable washers and lock nuts 61 at their outer ends which are adapted to engage against said legs for positioning the supports 68 at selected distances above the endless conveyor sprocket chains 34. the lugs 51 thereof and the middle platform 33. The supports 68 (Fig. 7) carry upper platforms 68 which have smooth lower surfaces adapted to bear against the upper surfaces of cartons passing through the machine and to be vertically ad justed by the nuts and plates 61 carried on the bars 66. Upon the platforms 88 (Figs. 1 and 2) are mounted a commutator housing 69, a magazine 18 (see Fig. 11) for staples and a safety control switch housing 1| (see Figs. 1 and '1.)

The platform supports 66 extend through guide blocks 12 which are slidably mounted between the angle irons of the legs 28 whereby at times when the lock nuts 61 are loosened the operator may raise or lower said blocks 12 and the mechanism Ycarried or supported thereby, by rotating the threaded shafts 13, the lower ends of which are swivelly secured to said blocks and threadably extend through the leg blocks 2| at the top of each leg 28 whereby the bottom surface of the platform 68 may be suitably positioned closely adjacent to the upper surface of the cartons or cases moving through the machine..

There is a. stapling mechanism housing 18' located below the platform bars 26 and the mechanism within the housings 18 and 18' being alike, the mechanism 18 being up-side-down with respect to the mechanism within the housing 18, said stapling mechanism within the housings 18 and 18 being simultaneous and alike in operation but one thereof will be mnutely described.

The housing 18 (Fig. 11) is provided with a push-pull rod 14 disposed vertically through the upper end plate 15 of the housing 18, said plate providing a bearing for the rod 14.

As shown in Figure 1, a set screw 16 is adapted to adjustably secure the rod 14 to a clip 11 through which the screw 16 is threaded for attaching the push-pull rod 14 to a lever 19 for governing the length of the stroke of the pushpull rod 14, and the clip 11 is provided with an ear 18 to which the outer end of the operating lever 19 is pivotally secured, as shown in Figure 1.

The lever 19 is pivotally mounted by means of a rod 88 to and between oppositely disposed like legs 8| of a bell crank assembly 82. As thus described the lever 19 is adapted to have `teeter-totter movements on its pivotal rod 88,

the latter being carried by said legs 8|. The other legs of the bell crank assembly are pivotally attached as at 83 to the support 84. The bell crank assembly includes an armature plate 85 which is drawn towards the electro-magnet within the housing 86 at times when a circuit is closed through said electro-magnet.' It must be borne in mind that the movement of the armature plate towards said magnet is very slight. A spring 81 is secured to the free end of the lever 19 and to the platform 68. As shown in Figure 1, the parts are in a normal or neutral position, said parts further including an adjustable detent |8l which is carried on a threaded rod |82.

When a circuit is closed through the electromagnet the armature plate 85 (Figs. 1 and l0) is drawn towards the magnet, said plate together with the bell crank assembly having a slight pivotal movement on the rpivots 83, the move` ment being very slight. The armature plate 85 upon being drawn towards the magnet causes a slight downward movement of the legs 8| and a corresponding downward movement of the ,1ever 19 away from the detent |8|. The spring 81 urges the lever 19 towards the detent 8| at all times.` When said circuit is closed the legs 8| of the bell crankv assembly, the pivotal point 88 and the lever 19 as a whole move downwardly away from the detent |8| causing a cor-` responding movement to be imparted to the pushpull rod 14.

When the circuit through the magnet is open As shown in Figure 11, the lower end of thev push-pull rod 14 is attached by means of a pin 88 to a lug 89 carried by a vertically disposed reciprocal hammer plate 98, the latter being mounted in guide slots 9| provided on the inner walls of the housing 18. As shown in Figures l2 and 11, the hammer plate 98 is in a normal raised position, its lower end 92 being above an elongated staple magazine 93. The staples 94 within the magazine 93 are guided by the latter in a horizontal direction in a manner whereby the staples are presented under the lower end 92 of the hammer plate one at a time. The stapling mechanism further includes an anvil 95 having Van end which extends below the lower end 92 of the hammer plate 98 and beyond the guide slots 9|.

A staple 94 before being ejected from the magazine and clinched to the flaps of a box is of the configuration, in plan, as shown in Figure 12. The lower end 92 of the hammer plate 98 is concaved and adjunct parts are so arranged that at times when the hammer plate descends, the then free ends 94' of the staple 94 are caused to be driven downwardly through the oppositely disposed flaps 96 and 91 of the carton 98. During the completion of the downward stroke of the hammer-plate, the medial portion 99 of the staple is caused to strike against the anvil 95, as shown in Figure 13, whereby the further downward movement of the staple causes said free ends thereof to move towards and past each other and close said free ends together through the flaps and carton material, as shown in Figure 14. The opoositely disposed edges |88 of the flaps 96 and 91 are caused to be accurately positioned at this time with respect to descending staples by means of the heretofore described guide rails 58 and 59.

That end of the lever arm 19 which is at- Cil tached to the push-pull rod 14 is limited in its upward movement by means of a detent car- :fed on a threaded rod |02. The rod |02 is secured to a horizontally and transversely disposed bar |03 which is carried upon standards |04, one each of the latter being disposed at each err/d of the bar |03 and secured to the stationary platform 68 of the machine. The rod |02 is provided with nuts disposed at each side of the bar |03 whereby the stop detent |0| is vertically adjustable i'or governing the length of the. upward return movement `of the lever arm 19.

Cartons are represented in Figures 1 and 2 by means of the dotted line outline 98 thereof, and commutator means are provided for causing staples to be driven at selectively spaced apart intervals of time or distances along the Oppositely disposed edges |00' (Figs. 13 and 14) of th.. flaps of a carton. The commutator means includes an actuating arm |05 which extends downwardly from the commutator housing 69, and the free lower end of said arm is provided with an anti-friction roller |06 which also facilitates passage of the arm over the upperI angular edges of the cartons or boxes.

The arm |05 is pivotally mounted, as at |01, to a side wall of the commutator housing 69 for vertical swinging movement, and a spring |08 is secureddto said arm and any suitable stationary portion of the mechanism, as shown in Figure l, for returning the arm and the roller |06 thereof to a normal position towards and against oncoming cartons moving through the machine.

A connecting link |09, as best shown in Figures 3 and 4, is pivotally secured, as at Ii, to a crank-throw III, said link being pivotally secured, as at H2, to a clip H3 which is adjustable upon the arm |05, said clip having a bifurcated end through which is disposed a clamping bolt Ild whereby the clip H3 may be adjusted longitudinally of the arm |05 for governing the length of motion of the crank-throw iii.

The crank-throw il is suitably secured to a shaft ||5 journalled through the walls of the commutator housing 69, as best shown in Figure 6, and provided with a thrust collar IIB secured thereto by means of a set screw |||1.

A plate of insulation ||6y is disposed against a stationary wall of the commutator housing 69, the latter having a removable cover cap I 9.

A brass bus-bar which is preferably of semi-circular shape in plan, as shown in Figure 5, is secured against the insulation H8 and mechanically secured to the stationary wall of the commutator housing by means of screws |2| bushings |22 and nuts |23 formed of insulating material.

A screw |24, like the screw |2| above mentioned is provided at one end of the bus-bar and functions as a binding post for securing an electric wire |25 in electrical communication therewith and with the bus-bar |20, said wire |25 being in electrical communication with a source of electrical energy at times, as later described.

'I'he bus-bar |20 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart threaded recesses |26 which are adapted to receive machine screws |21 for securing L-shaped arms |28 thereto' and in selected recesses |26. The arms |26 carry adjustable contact screws I 21.

The arms |28 together with the bus-bar |20 as well as the contact screws |21' carried by the arms |28 are formed of conductive material and, as best shown in Figure 5, the free ends of the screws |21 are radially disposed with'respectV to the shaft ||5 of the crank throw and adapted at times to contact with a circuit maker and breaker for opening and closing an electrical circuit for actuating the coils of the heretofore mentioned magnets 86 and 66' for causing the push-pull rods 14 and 14 of the stapling mechanisms to be reciprocated for driving staples into cartons passing through the machine.

Rigidly secured by means of a set screw |29 to the shaft 5, a lug |30 is provided which, as best shown in Figure 6, is secured to a block of insulation |3| by any suitable means.

Oppositely disposed supports |32 extend from said block 3| and a swingable brush head electrode or contact |33 is pivotally mounted therebetween on a pin l3i.

The pivotally mounted brush head |33 is provided With an expandedspring for returning the head to a normal radial position as shown in Figure 5.

'I'he head I 33 is formed of brass adapted to contact with and close a circuit through the screws |21 carried by the L-shaped arms on the bus bar at times when the brush head is moved in a counter-clock-wise direction. When the brush head is moved in a clock-wise direction, the circuit is opened by means of a block of insulation |36 carried on said head which has an upper end of inverted V-shape extending beyond the contact or brush |33, as shown in Figure 5. The brush |33 is secured to the insulation |36 by means of a screw |31 forming a. terminal for a connecting wire itt.

As shown in Figure 6, the spring |35 is of an expanding type and mounted between the oppositely disposed like supports |32 as is also the brush and insulation assembly |33-|36. The brush assembly is pivotally mounted between the supports |33 whereby the outer head of the brush can swing in either direction. One half of the head is insulation and the other half brass.' Now when the supports |32 are swung in one direction the head-of the brush becomes knocked in the opposite direction whereby the spring |35 as to the outer end thereof becomes moved past a dead center and releasably holds the outer end of the head in said knocked direction and prevents the same from opping around. As soon as the supports |32 are moved in a direction opposite to the rst mentioned direction the head of the brush becomes knocked in a corresponding opposite direction; whereupon the outer end of the expanding spring |35 holds the said head from iloppng around.

'I 'he binding-post-screw |31 is employed for securing the insulation |36 to the brush head and said binding post |31 is in communication with a wire |38 which extends to the binding screw |24, the latter extending through the wall of the housing 69. The screw |24 is suitably insulated from the housing 69 and in electrical communication with a Wire |36', the latter in conjunction with the wire |25 extending to a later described magnetic switch within the housing |40 thereof whereby, at times, as governed by said switch and the commutator, a circuit is closed through the wires I5, |36', the brush head |33 and the screws |21' and |24 of the bus-bar for driving staples. It will be noted that at times whenthe contact screws |21' of the L-shaped arms |26 are placed a greater or less distance apart with respect to each other that staples are correspondingly driven, as later described.

The wires |25 and |36' extend from the outlet box |39 shown in Figure 6, to the magnetic switch housing |40 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and within which are two magnetic switches indicated diagrammatically at |4| in Figure 10 and at 200 in Figure 15 and shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. The construction of the magnetic switches preferably employed is conventional and well known and believed to require no particularly minute description herein, being substantially like those manufactured by the General Electric Company at Schenectady, New York, and described in U. S. Patents Nos. 1,696,615; 1,742,- 109; 1,839,095 and 1,842,958.

At times when the circuit isclosed through the wires |25, and |36', the bus-bar |20 and the brush head |33, a circuit is thereby closed through the electrodes of the magnetic switch |4I for actuating the coils of the electro-magnets 96 and 86 for drawing the armature plates 85 and 85' towards the cores of the electro-magnets 86 and 86' and thus causing thepush-pull rods 14 and 14' of the respective stapling mechanisms to become correspondingly simultaneously actuated.

The circuit through the wires |25 and |36 shown in Figure 6 governs the opening and closing of the circuit through the magnetic switch |4| within the housing |40 from the source of supply of electrical energy to the magnetic switch,

The wires for conveying electrical energy from a source of supply thereof to the motor 53 are provided, preferably, with a safety cut-out switch, said wires not being illustrated as connected to said motor in Figures 1 or 2. These wires lead from the safety switch housing 1| to said motor 53 through a conduit |42, the latter being in communication with the switch housing 1|, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, whereby at times when the switch button |43 is pressed inwardly of the housing, a circuit is closed for actuating the driving motor 53 and adjunct parts, and at times when the switch button |44 is pressed, the power circuit thereby becomes opened for stopping the motor and mechanism driven thereby.

Means are provided for opening said circuit by pressing the button 44 automatically at times when cartons to be stapled become misapplied to the conveyor belt or the like, said means preferably including bosses |45 which are pivotally mounted for vertical swinging movements on the rear platform supporting bar 66,

said bar preferably being round in cross section for permitting said movements.

These bosses |45 are secured to the ends of a substantially c-shaped lever |46 which extends rearwardly of the rear legs 20 and rearwardly of the upturned shoes |41, said shoes being formed on the rear ends of the platform members 68;

As best shown in Figure '1, the lever |46 is provided with an upstanding arm |48, the terminal end |49 of which is adapted to abut against and press the switch button |44 upon upward rocking movement of the lever |46. 'I'he legs of the C-shaped lever |46 `are provided with detents |50 which are adapted to strike against an adjacent shoe |41 and limit a downward movement of the lever |46.

such as by resting the bottom of the Ycarton upon the top of a lug 51 and when the conveyor chain 34 causes the carton to travel under the safety switch housing 1| for entering the machine during stapling operations, the top of such misapplied carton comes in contact with the lever |46, thereby raising said lever and the arm |48 thereof, thereby causing `the end |49 of said arm to engage against the switch button |44 for opening said power circuit as heretofore mentioned, whereby the actuation of the entire mechanism is stopped until such time as the misapplied carton is manually disposed properly in position between the guide rails 58 and 59.

The duplicate staple driving mechanism positioned below the platforms 29 and 33 includes a housing 10', push-pull rod 14', set screw 16', clip 11, lever 19', bell-crank-lever 82', electromagnet 86', detent |0I mounted on standards |04', said parts being mounted on the motor supporting platform 56, the lower stapling magazine or housing 10 being disposed in vertical alinement with the upper staple housing 10 whereby staples may be driven and clinched into the bottom flaps of a carton simultaneously with like staples driven into the top ilaps of the same carton.

Preferably, the driving motor 53 isof three phase type, as shown in Figure 15, and referring rst to saidgure, the magnetic switch for said motor is indicated generally bythe reference character 200.

Preferably the power service wires deliver 220 volts. three phase, 60 -cycle current to the switch 200 through the service wires 20|, 202 and 203 which lead into the housing |40 of the magnetic switches |41 and 200, said wires not being illustrated in the drawings with the exception of the diagrammatic illustration thereof in Figurey 15. The magnetic switch 200 further includes a switch bar 204 having four contacts which at times are in electrical communication with the energy supply wires 20|, 202 and 203 and an electrode 205 which is in electrical communication at all times with the wire 203 through a conductor 206. The electrode 205 has a wire 201 in communication therewith at all times, said wire 201 leading to the switch housing 1|, the latter being represented by dotted lines in Figure 15 and full lines in Figure 7.

The switch bar 204 is adapted to close electrical circuits through and with the service wires 20|, 202, 203 and the electrode 205 through the oppositely disposed electrodes 208, 209, 2|0 and 2||, respectively, and the electrode 208 is in electrical communication with a resistance unit 2|2. A similar unit 2|3 is in electrical commu,

nication with thel electrode 2|0, said resistance units 2|2 and 2|3 being employed to prevent injury to the windings of the motor 53. The units 2|3 and 2|2 are respectively connected to the motor 53 through the wires 2|4 and 2|5. A wire 2|6 leads directly from the electrode 209 to the motor 53.

When the capacity of the motor 53 is approximated, the units 2|2 and 2|3 cause a normally closed switch 2|1 to open, said switch 2|1 when closed being in communication with a solenoid 2|8 which encircles a movable core 2|9, the latter being secured to the switch lever 226 of the switch bar 204 for a mechanical actuation of said bar.

A wire 220 extends from the solenoid 2|8 to the heretofore mentioned housing 1| and a wire 22| extends from the electrode 2|| to said housing and is permanently connected to an electrode 222 therewithin. The wire 201 is in communication with the switch button |43 shown in Figure 7, said button being diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 15, and the wire 228 which extends from the solenoid 2|3` leads to the switch button |44, and at times whenthe button |44 is pressed inwardly of the housing 1|, a

circuit is opened for stopping the actuation of the motor 53 thereby.

The mechanism within the switch housing 1| further includes a bar` electrode 223 having an armwhich is in electrical communication at all times with the electrode 222, said bar 223 being adapted at times to establish an electrical communica-tion between the electrode 222 and the switch button |43, the electrode carried by the latter being so arranged that at times when. the button |43 is-pressed inwardly of the housing 1|, a. circuit is closed thereby for starting operation of the motor 53 at which time the button |43 may be released. 'Ihe mechanism within the housing 1| fur-ther includes a second -bar elec-` trode 224 which normally is Vin communication with the electrodes carried by the switch button |44, the circuit through the members |44 and 224 being normally closed and adapted to be opened at times when the button |44 is pressed inwardly of the switch housing 1| by means of the lever |46, as heretofore described, said circuit being open between the bar electrode 224 and the wire 220.

In operation the motor starter button |43 is pressed inwardly of the housing 1| for energizing the solenoid 2|8 through the wire 220 which is thereby placed in electrical communication with the wire 201 through the bar electrodes 223 and 224.

The wire 201 is at all times in communication with the service wire 203 `through the lwire 206 and the wire 220 is in electrical communication with the wire 202 through the coil 2|8 and the normally closed switch 2|6 and a wire 225.`

When the switch button |43 is depressed, the solenoid 2|8 moves the core 219, the latter being mechanically fastened to the switch lever 226 whereby said switch lever closes circuits through the switch bar 204 between the service wires 20|, 202 and 203, the electrode 205 and the oppositely disposed electrodes 208, 203, 2||I and 2H, respectively, whereby actuation of the motor53 is consummated. Upon the instantaneous start of said motor 53, the switch Ibutton |43 is then released by means of a spring, not shown, which pushes said button |43 outwardly of the housing 1| where it remains during operation of the mechanism and the motor 53 and until such time as the motor 53 is stopped, whereupon the button |43 may be again depressed to start the motor again.

When passage of cartons through the mechanism is obstructed, such as when said packages become misapplied to the lugs 51 of the conveyor chains 34, as shown in Figure 7, the elevated end of such carton strikes the safety lever |46, and causes the button |44 to' move inwardly of the housing 1| whereby the circuits to the motor 53 become opened for stopping the mechanism and motor, said circuits becoming opened since the electrical energy is thereby removed from the coil 2|8 which permits the core 2| 3 and the switch lever 226 to fall, by gravity, downwardly for opening said circuits until such ltimes as the latter is ite-established or closed by the switch .|43.

The magnetic switch |4| for the commutator is preferably of the same construction as'the motor switch 200, and referring particularly to Figure 10, current is supplied to the magnetic switch MI through the wires 221, 228 and 22! which may be in communication, respectively, with the power wires 20|, 242 and 203 shown in Figure 15.

The switch bar 23| is adapted to connect the wires 221, 228 and l228 with the oppositely disposed electrodes 23|, 232 and 233 at times when the switch bar 230 isactuated for the same. The electrodes 23| and 233 are respectively in communication with resistance units 234 and 235.

From the resistance unit 234 a wire 236 extends to an end of the upper electro-magnetic coil 86Vand similarly a wire 231 extends yfrom the resistance unit 235 to the lower coil 86.

When the cores within the coils 86 and 86' are electrically energized, said cores, respectively, draw the armature plates and 85', respectively carried by the arms 13 and 18', towards said cores vwhereby the stapling mechanismswithin the staple housings 10 and 10' are thereby actuated as heretofore described, through the levers 19 and 13 and the contact plates 85 and 85' of said levers, said levers being actuated simultaneously, both being governed by the same commutator.

As shown in Figure 10, ends of the coils 86 and 66' are in electrical communication with each other through a wire 238 and a wire 235 extends from the wire 238 to the electrode 232.

The heretofore described commutator bus-bar |20 is in communication with the heretofore described Wre |25 which leads to a solenoid 240, the latter in construction and operation being similar to the heretofore described solenoid 2|8, shown in Figure 15; As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 10, the contact screws |21' are in communication with the wire |25 and bus-bar |20 of the commutator. A

The coil 240 is in communication with a normally closed switch 24| which is similar in operation to the heretofore described switch 2|1, shown in Figure 15, and is also in communication through a wire 242 with the power Wire 228. The switch 24| is adapted to open the circuit between the wire 228 and the coil 240'at times when the resistance units 234 and 235 cause the same, said times being when an overload occurs in the cir- A cuit of the coils 86 and 86' through the wires 236 and 231.

From the .power wire 229 which` enters the magnetic switch housing |46, electrical communication is established through the heretofore described wires |38 and |35 with the brush head |33 and a circuit is closed through said wire and the successive contacts |21' of the bus-liar |26 at times when the brush head |33 is moved in a counter-clock-wise direction, as heretofore described; said circuit through the, brush head and the contacts |21' being closed through the wire and the coil 244 and the normally closed switch 24|. 'I'he circuit is opened duringsaid counter-clock-wise movement of the brush head |33 past the successive contact screws |21' of the'bus-bar |20 and instantaneously when said successive circuits are closed through the coils 86 and 86 the lever arms 18 and 13' are caused to move towards each other for ejecting and clinching staples into the flaps of the cartons, as heretofore described.

During the return movement of thebrush head Vm in a cicck-wisc direction, circuits for uic cous 86 and 86 remain open, the block of insulation |36 carried by the brush head |33 solely contacting the screws |21 during said movement.

The magnetic switch HI is preferably employed since the current through the coil 240 is considerably weaker than the current passed through the coils 86 and 86' and if said magnetic switch |4| is dispensed with, the powerA circuit is then extended directly to the swingable brush head |33 and the wire |25. However, when the power circuit is so extended sparks are generated at times when the brush head strikes the contact screws |21', said sparks burning said contacts and causing them to Wear rapidly and to disrupt the proper timing of driven staples. It will thus be seen that the magnetic switch |4| is of economical advantage.

Assuming that a package 98 is in the correct position with respect to the conveyor 34 and engages a' lug 51 at its lower end, the top of the package will pass beneath the circuit breaking member |46 and the forward end of the package will engage against the roller |06. The upper edge of the package will engage the upper platform 68 during the entire movement of the package 98 through the stapling mechanism. When the forward wall of the package 98 contacts with the roller |06, the lever |05 is rocked forwardly and upwardly, which rocking movement effects counter-clock-wise turning of the contact or wiper |33 (see Fig. 5). There are as many fixed contacts |21' as there are staples to be applied to the package 98 so that at each engagement of the wiper |33 with a contact |21, the stapling head 90 will be lowered by rocking of the lever 19. The contacts |21' are spaced apart on the arcuate bar I2| a distance equal to the desired spacing of the staples to be applied to the package 98. After the package 98 has passed the stapling means 10, the rock arm |05 will be returned to-its normal position shown in full lines in Figure 1 by the spring |08.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that any desired number of staples may be applied to opposite sides of the package during the movement of theI package through the machine and that the operation is a continuous operation so that packages may be fed into one end of the machine in an unstapled condition and removed from the other end of the machine in a stapled condition.

It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is Within the scope of my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims, Without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A package stapling means comprising a frame, means for moving a package through said frame, a pair of stapling members carried by said frame in a position to engage opposite sides of the package during the movement of the package through the frame and to pass staples simultaneously through oppositely disposed sides of the package and to clinch the staples in place, and a single controlling means for said pair of stapling members.

2. A package stapling means comprising a frame, means for moving a package through said frame, a pair of stapling members carried by said frame in a position to engage opposite sides of the package during the movement of the package through the frame and to pass staples simultaneously through oppositely disposed sides of the package and to clinch the staples in place, an operating member for each stapling member, and a. single controlling means for said operating members.

3. A package stapling means comprising a frame, means for moving a package through said frame, a stapling means carried by said frame inl a position for engagement with a package moving through said frame, means operable under movement of the package to actuate said stapling means, and means carried by said frame and operatively connected to said first means to render said first means inoperative when a package is misapplied to said first means.

4. A package stapling means comprising a frame, a conveyor carried by said frame, operating means for said conveyor, a stapling means carried by said frame in a position for engagement with a package moving through said frame,

means connected to said stapling means and operable by movement of a package on said conveyor to actuate said stapling means, and means carried by said frame and operatively connected to said operating means to render said operating means ineffective when a package has been misapplied to said conveyor.

5. A package stapling means comprising a frame, a conveyor carried by said frame, operating means for said conveyor, a pair of opposed stapling members carried by said frame in a position for engagement with a package moving through said frame, operating means for said stapling members, a single controlling means for said operating means for said stapling members disposed in a position for engagement with a package moving through said frame, and means carried by said frame and operatively connected to said first operating means to render said first operating means ineffective when a package has been misapplied to said conveyor.

6. A package stapling means comprising a frame, a conveyor carried by said frame, operating means for said conveyor, a stapling member carried by said frame in a. position for engagement with a package moving through said frame, electrical operating means for said stapling member, controlling means for said electrical operating means carried by said frame in a position for actuation by a package disposed on said conveyor, and guide means for guiding a package through said frame.

7. A package stapling means comprising a frame, a conveyor carried by said frame, operating means for said conveyor, a platform disposed above said conveyor, means adjustably supporting said platform relative to said conveyor, a stapling member carried by said platform, operating means for said stapling member, and means connected to said latter operating means carried by said platform and engageable with a package on said conveyor to actuate said latter operating means.

8. A package stapling means comprising a frame, a conveyor carried by said frame, operating means for said conveyor, a platform disposed above said conveyor. means adjustably supporting said platform relative to said conveyor, a stapling member carried by said platform, operating means for said stapling member, means connected to said latter operating means carried by said platform and engageable with a package on said conveyor to actuate said latter operating means, and means connected to said first named CTI operating means disposed on said platform and engageable with a. misapplied package on said conveyor to thereby stop said conveyor.

9. A package stapllng means comprising a frame, a conveyor carried by said frame, operating means for said conveyor, a. platform disposed above said conveyor, means adjustably supporting said platform relative to said conveyor, a stapling member carried by said platform. a second stapling member carried by said frame in opposed relation to said first stapling member, individual operating means for said stapiing members, a single control means carried by said platform and connected to the operating means for said stapling members, said control means being disposed with a portion thereof disposed in the path of the movement of a package along said conveyor, and means carried by said platform connected to said ilrst operating means and engageable with a package misapplied to said conveyor whereby to render said first operating means lneifective.

10. A commutator for a package stapling ma.- chine comprising a bus-bar having a plurality of spaced apart openings, a plurality of contacts adapted to be selectively placed in said openings, a yieldable brush head electrode having a conducting portion and an insulated portion, means including an arm actuated by a package moving through the machine for causing said electrode to move along the bus-bar in opposite directions, and expanded spring means for maintaining the conducting portion of the electrode in contact with the contacts as the electrode moves in one direction and for maintaining the insulated portion of the electrode in contact with the contacts as the electrode moves in an opposite direction.

SIXTEN G. ECKLUND. 

